REMARKS 



It not only seemed to rain more than normal in the month of 

 June, it provided the heaviest precipitation for the month since 

 .1941. In 9 other years since the beginning of our records however 

 the 5.67 inches received this month has been exceeded, and it was 

 considerably below the record 9.68 inches of June, 1982. 



Accompanying this greater than normal rainfall were the ex- 

 pected less than normal sunshine, more than normal cloudiness, and 

 less than normal mean temperature. While none of these were of 

 a magnitude to approach a record value, the condition is worthy of 

 note for its effect on farming operations. The harvesting and curing 

 of forage crops was very difficult due to precipitation, low tem- 

 perature, high humidity and soft ground conditions. Planting of 

 some crops was delayed greatly due to soft fields and the "con- 

 tinuous" rain. 



Degree-days of heat load for the month were 79 against a 

 normal of 68 and the season's cumulative load was 6999 against a 

 normal of 6848 degree-days. 



W. H. Thies, Extension Professor of Horticulture, contributes 

 the following: "With rainfall amounting to 5.67 inches during 

 June, distributed over 19 days, conditions have been very favorable 

 for the continued spread of apple scab and other fruit diseases. 

 Wherever trees are in good vigor, fruits of various kinds have sized 

 rapidly although some yellowing of foliage in areas of relatively 

 high water table has appeared. In strawberry plantings the yield 

 has been somewhat reduced through smaller sized berries where 

 plants were handicapped by root rot, leaf spot, or other unfavorable 

 conditions. 



Much of the soluble plant food has been leached from the soils 

 in the Connecticut Valley as a result of continuous rains during 

 the past two months, according to W. G. Colby of the Agronomy 

 Department. Magnesium deficiencies have appeared on fields of 

 potatoes, and nitrogen deficiencies have been evident on both 

 potatoes and onions. Magnesium deficiency symptoms have been 

 aggravated, not only because of the leaching action of heavy rains, 

 but also because of shalllow root penetration which is character- 

 istic of a wet growing season." 



